Keyhole illuminator



y 2, 1935- A. L. VONDEREMBSE 2,007,101

KEYHOLE ILLUMINATOR Filed Feb. 19, 1935 if Z6 BMW Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE 2,007,101 KEYHOLE ILLUMINATOB Arthur L. Vonderembse, Portsmouth, Ohio. Application February 19,1935, Serial No. 7,271 2 Claims. (cram-2.1a)

This invention-relates to a key-hole illuminating device, and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a normally inactive device of the class referred tofor anchoring in juxtaposition to a key-holeopening and functioning, when active, to illuminate such opening ,whereby the position of the latter may be quickly determined to enable one to expeditiously insert a key into a latch or lock.

Further objectsof the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a

device of the class referred to wh ch is simple in' its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, readily installed with respect to a key-hole, thoroughly eflicient for the purpose intended thereby, conveniently made active, and inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially, and to othersdoor frame and a door, the latter being provided with a key-hole opening'and showing the installation of the device, in accordance with this invention with respect to said opening. The device being illustrated in vertical section. I Figure 2 is a front elevation of the device with,

the cover element removed.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the merit.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

In the drawing one side of a door frame is designated 5 and a door at 6. The door 6 has a key-hole I. The device, generally indicated at 0, is to be anchored to the side 5 of the door frame and is so shown. The position of the device 8 relative to the opening 1 is such, that when it is -active, it will reflect a light beam at. right angles to the frame side 5 and across the opening i.

The device 8 includes a shallow open front cover elerectangular receptacle 9 consisting of a vertical- 1y disposed back wall l0 having formed integral with and lengthwise of its front face a skeleton tapered rectangular body ll spaced from the side and top and bottom edges of wall In. Each side of body II is formed with spaced outset parts l2 constituting the inner elements of a coupling means to be referred to. The upper and lower ends of the wall are formed with openings l3 for the passage of holdfast devices M to anchor receptacle 9 against the frame side 5.

Secured to the front face of wall it are superposed spaced pairs of spaced resilient clamping members l5. The members of each pair are oppositely disposed. The members l5 are surrounded by and spaced from the sides of body I I. The members l5 project forwardly from wall In and function to detachably suspend a storage battery I6 within the device and in spaced relation to the sides and ends of the body H. The battery l5 extends beyond the front edge of body II. A strip of conducting material I1 is secured to the front face of wall l0 between the pairs of clamping members IS. The strip I1 extends above the upper pair and depends below the lower pair of clamping members l5. The strip I1 is of greater length than battery It and extends above and depends below the latter. Secured to the front face of strip I! is a conducting member II which isflush with the upper end of strip l1 and has its lower end' formed of a forwardly extending resilient part I9 carrying a push button 20. The part I9 constitutes a contact to engage the bottom of battery It to close a lighting circuit for a lamp 2!. The part I9 is normally clear of the bottom of battery l6.

Electrically connected to the battery I6 is a socket forming member 22 of conducting material which receives the plug of lamp 2!. The member 22 is fixed to a holder 25 therefor. The holder 23 is formed of conducting material and is secured to and electrically connected to the upper end of the conducting member I8.

That portion of the forward face of wall it indicated at 24 is highly polished and constitutes a reflector. The lamp 2i opposes in spaced relation the said portion 24 of the front or forward face of wall l0.

The device includes a cover element 25 for closing the open front of the receptacle 9. The element 25 includes a front 25 anda flared rim 2! having each of its sides provided with spaced outset parts 25 which coact with the outset parts l2 'to provide pairs of frictional coupling means for latching the element 25- to the receptacle 9. The element 25 is of rectangular contour and when in closing position completely envelopes body H, as well as extends outwardly from the latter. v

The push button is arranged forwardly of the outer edge of body II. The lower end of element is formed with an opening 29 for the passage of button 20, the latter is disposed at an outward inclination and extends beyond the outer end of opening 29.

The front 26 of element in proximity to its upper end is formed with a segmental shaped slot 30 for the passage of the light rays from the lamp 2i. When the device is anchored to the door side 5, the slot 301s to align with the key opening I. The device is of a depth, that when secured in position the front 26 of element 25 will be arranged in close proximity to the key opening I. The device is normally in an inactive position, as the resilient part I! of conducting member i8 is normally clear of the bottom of the battery. When part i9 is shifted inwardly to contact with the bottom of battery I or a contact in said bottom, the lighting circuit will be closed and lamp 2i made active.

What I claim is:

1. An illuminating device for the purpose set. forth, comprising a shallow open front receptacle adapted to be anchored to a surface; spaced resilient battery clamping means anchored to the front face of the back wall of said receptacle, and extending forwardly from the latter,

' a battery supportedin said means, a non-conducting strip secured to the front face of said wall between the battery and the wall, a conducting member secured to said strip throughout .the forward face of the latter and having a forwardly disposed resilient part extending beyond one end of said strip, said part normally spaced from said battery and carryin a push button whereby it may be moved into contact with one pole of the battery, a lamp socket carried by the other end of said strip, a lamp in the socket engaging the other pole of the battery, and a closure for the open front of said receptacle, said closure being formed with an aperture aligned with said lamp and an opening for the passage of the push button.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, in which said receptacle is of tapered contour in cross-sections, said closure being of similarly tapered contour, and completely encompassing said receptacle, said receptacle and said closure having co-acting resilient locking means.

ARTHUR L. VONDEREMBSE. 

